RAK has a new real estate investment summit

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) will take centre stage at a global real estate event this May when it hosts the inaugural International Real Estate Investment Summit (IREIS).

Set to take place on May 20 and 21, 2025, at the Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Centre, IREIS marks a significant milestone in the emirate’s ambitious journey to becoming a premier global investment destination.

What to look forward to at the summit

The summit features a carefully curated agenda, keynote addresses, investment talks, panel discussions, and immersive networking sessions.

Read-Latest pictures: See how RAK’s Wynn Al Marjan is shaping up

Industry heavyweights and policymakers will share insights on market trends, capital flows, and the impact of major projects shaping the region’s future, including the flagship $3.9bn Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, set for completion in 2027. The program explores what the introduction of an integrated resort means for RAK and the wider region, with economic insights from Macau, Singapore, and Las Vegas.

With 500 delegates and investors from the GCC and global markets, and 40 industry speakers, IREIS will provide unique access to networking opportunities and investment showcases.

Attendees can expect roundtable discussions on emerging market opportunities, how RAK is attracting global, deep dives into asset class trends, and insights into tech-driven real estate transformation with a special mini masterclass on the emergence of cryptocurrency in global real estate transactions.

RAK: One of UAE’s most promising real estate hotspots

The International Real Estate Investment Summit comes as RAK is emerging as one of the UAE’s most promising real estate hotspots, driven by government-backed initiatives, visionary developments, and a thriving tourism sector.

Branded residences linked to globally renowned hospitality names – including Nikki Beach, Nobu, Ritz-Carlton, and Waldorf Astoria – are further positioning RAK as a high-yield destination for investors seeking long-term returns.

“Ras Al Khaimah is undergoing an unprecedented evolution, with world-class projects reshaping the tourism and hospitality sectors,” Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding, said.

The inaugural International Real Estate Investment Summit will be a key moment to showcase the vast potential of RAK’s real estate market to international investors.

Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic location: The advantages

RAK’s geographic location, less than an hour from Dubai, combined with its attainable property prices, strong return on investment, and investor-friendly regulations, is attracting a wave of local and international buyers.

According to Stirling Hospitality Advisors, a subsidiary of RAK Hospitality Holding, more than 14,000 new residential units are expected to enter the market between 2026 and 2029, with branded residences accounting for 5,600 of these.

“Marjan’s developments, including Al Marjan Island, are at the forefront of RAK’s growth story,” said Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan. With world-class infrastructure and a commitment to sustainable, high-value investment opportunities, RAK is poised to become the UAE’s next big real estate success story, Al Abdouli added.

Sustainability: A key theme at the event

Sustainability will be a key theme, with sessions dedicated to eco-tourism investments, smart city innovations, and the transition to net-zero developments.

Other notable panels will cover the rise of branded residences, data centre investments, blockchain’s impact on real estate transactions and Artificial Intelligence’s potential for the sector, with panellists including proptech strategist Lynnette Sacchetto.

A dedicated panel will scrutinise cultural identity in architecture, with a restoration case study on RAK’s Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village and panellists including Sandra Woodall, Design Principal at Tangram Gulf, and Christine Espenosa-Erlanda, Director of Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ).

UAE real estate industry: A sustained boom

The UAE’s real estate industry is experiencing a sustained boom, driven by multiple factors that have solidified its position as a global investment hub.

Notably, in 2024, the total value of real estate transactions across the UAE reached Dhs893bn. Ras Al Khaimah’s economic blueprint emphasises infrastructure enhancement, economic diversification, and sustainable growth. Investor-friendly initiatives such as long-term residency visas, streamlined property ownership regulations, and the expansion of RAK International Airport further bolster its appeal.

“This surge is fuelled by strong investor confidence, government initiatives to foster a positive investment environment, and an influx of high-net-worth individuals attracted to the UAE’s stability and luxurious offerings. Furthermore, projected growth continues into 2025, supported by ongoing infrastructure developments and the launch of new, high-profile real estate projects. The IREIS Summit by Cityscape is the ideal B2B platform to showcase the best investments”, Alexander Heuff, Cityscape Group Director, noted.

Cityscape: The role it plays in the real estate ecosystem

Organised by Cityscape by Informa Markets, in collaboration with Marjan – the master-developer behind Al Marjan Island – and RAK Hospitality Holding, the leading hospitality group in Ras Al Khaimah, IREIS will bring together elite investors, government officials, and industry leaders.

Cityscape, established over 24 years ago, has been instrumental in launching iconic real estate projects such as the Burj Khalifa and Battersea Power Station.

As the premier real estate platform in the GCC and beyond, Cityscape connects key stakeholders across the real estate ecosystem, adding significant credibility and influence to this inaugural summit. With a focus on unlocking investment potential, the event will spotlight RAK’s rapidly growing real estate market and international markets, providing an exclusive platform for deal-making, networking, and market-shaping discussions.

For further information and to register for the summit, visit here.